5 Reasons to Embrace Rugs in Your Home
December 7th, 2021 | by Elizabeth | Posted in tips
If y’all know me, you know I love rugs. The size. The shape. The quality. They can make or break a space! But their benefits don’t stop at style. They can work even harder for you if you give them the chance.
Today, I’m sharing 5 things rugs can do for you and your home, and believe me, they’re worth it. By the end of this list, I even bet you’ll be willing to spend a little extra to get the design oomph I’m talking about. Come see for yourself…
1. Rugs Enhance the Style of Your Home
This one’s the most obvious, but it would be an oversight to leave it off the list, so here we go: Rugs add an elevated, classic look to a room. Area rugs, especially, take up a lot of visual space, which means their “voice” in the overall design is pretty loud. That’s why the rug style you pick will largely influence the style of the whole space.
Rugs can also be used to unify several colors within a color palette, which is a great way to add pops of color to a more neutral space. Here’s a great example:
This multi-colored rug works well with the neutral fixed elements of the home (walls, flooring, fireplace) while also unifying some energizing pops of blue, orange, and yellow in this 1970s family home renovation.
2. Rugs Increase Visual Space
Want to know a design secret? A larger rug will actually make a smaller room seem bigger! In fact, when in doubt, always go for a larger rug. 9 times out of 10, it will increase the appearance of space in the room.
Of course, for long spaces, like a hallway, a runner is best, but the concept is the same. If it’s the right scale, the runner can make the hallway or entryway appear longer and wider. Who knew?
3. Rugs Add Visual & Textural Softness
Y’all know that most rugs add a soft landing under your toes, but did you know rugs also add visual softness to the room? In general, texture is something we “feel” with our eyes before we ever touch it with our hands or feet. Even rugs made from natural jute or sisal (materials not known for softness) can add a sense of warmth to a room. Bonus? Rugs also muffle the echo in a space, which helps make it feel even cozier.
4. Rugs Corral Furniture
Here’s another design tactic we put to use in nearly every home we design: “corralling” furniture. Using rugs as the foundation for your furniture pieces is a great way to define the space. With rugs, we can create conversation areas, separate out different “zones” in an open concept space (like the one below), or bring the family closer at the dinner table. I guarantee y’all have seen this in action before!
Placing the sectional and coffee table on this classic-style rug is a great way to create a defined living room within the open floor plan in the Pebble Point Lake Home. It feels like it’s own space, and it looks great.
5. Rugs Protect Your Floors
Rugs also do some heavy lifting from the point of view of preserving your home. On one hand, they protect floors from scratches and furniture wear. On the other, they can trap dirt and debris in entryways or mudrooms, which also keeps the mess from getting tracked into the rest of the house.
Depending on the rug type or if you have a rug pad underneath, they can also capture any spills and prevent liquids from reaching your hardwood flooring below! If you ask me, that’s a smart investment all around.
Rugs are a great idea for kids’ bedrooms, like this one. Kids can be hard on homes, so we added a rug here to protect the floors, give them a soft place to play, and of course, add more of their favorite color (and mine!) to the room.
Okay, y’all are convinced that rugs are workhorses, right? Couldn’t agree more. Now, let’s talk about some of my favorite materials for rugs…
Guide to Natural & Synthetic Rugs
There are two types of rugs: natural and synthetic. They each come with their own pros and cons, and while we tend to lean synthetic for functional reasons, I think both have a place in the home. Here are some material types you’re likely to find when shopping, along with what you can expect from each.
Natural Fiber Rugs
- Wool: Has great longevity and is both comfortable and durable. Price can vary due to the size of fiber.
- Cotton: Soft and easily maintained. Slightly less expensive and durable than wool.
- Jute, sisal or seagrass: Affordable, sustainable, and easily maintained. Usually chemical-free. Not soft.
Synthetic Fiber Rugs
- Acrylic: Moderate in price, durable. Good for indoor or outdoor use.
- Polypropylene: Not super soft, but affordable and easy to maintain. Great for homes with pets or for outdoor spaces.
- Viscose: Affordable, but can be a little shiny in appearance.
- Polyester: Very affordable and has good wearability.
By the way, don’t forget to dress your outdoor spaces just like you would your indoor spaces! There’s no reason not to create an additional living space for those quiet mornings, for entertaining friends and family, or for winding down in the evening. You won’t regret it. (P.S. You can find my favorite outdoor fire table here.)
As always, if you need help designing your home, you know where to find us. Until next time, I wish you a world of happiness with your favorite people this season.
xo,
E
